Striping device for automobile bodies



June 27, 1933.

R. z. HOPKINS Er AL 1,915,317 STEIPING DEvIcE EOE AUTOMOBILE BoDIEs Filed July 2, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l By WM QLMGWQMLMQJQ .4550272 QMS'.

June 27, 1933. R. z. HOPKINS ET A1.

STRIPING DEVICE FOR AUTOMOBILE BODIES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Zzvenofsx +1 Slg/@1.

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Filed July 2, 1928 Patented June 27, 1933 UNITED sr I Leiten RALPH Z. HGP'KNS AND EARL F.' SEGEMR, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSEGNORS TO HUDSON MOTOR CAR CO'MANY, 0F DETRQIT, MICHGAN, A CGEPURATION 0F MICHIGAN STRPING DEVICE FCR .LTOMOBELE BODIES Application filed July 2, 1328. Serial No. 289,811.

This invention relates to striping devices particularly adapted for the purpose of striping automobile bodies, such as along or adjacent the vbelt line molding or around the window reveals.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved portable striping device which will be relatively simple and compact in construction and efficient in use, and in which the device may be easily handled and guided over the body so as to permit its use by unskilled labor, whereby the work of striping may be rapidly and cheaply done.

A. further object of the inventionis to provide a striping device having improved means for feeding the paint or striping fluid to the applicator or pen, so that the proper amount of paint will be supplied along the line of striping irrespective of lthe speed at which the device is moved over the body. Moreover it is one of the purposes of the invention to provide a striping device so constructed as to produce a better and more clearlyV defined stripe, in which the paint or fluid may be controlled at the applicator point, so that not only will the strip haven more body or depth but also the danger or ragged or uneven edges will be prevented.

Other objects of the invention will appear in thefolowing description and appended claims, reference being had to the k accompanying drawings forming a part in this speciiication wherein like reference charac?" ters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

Fig. l is a perspective view illustrating a device embodying the invention in position for producing a stripe on the belt line molding of a body panel. Fig. 2 isa central sectional elevation of the construction shown in Fig. l. K

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view illustrating particularly the lguiding means for the device.

otherembodiment' of the invention in use for applying a stripe along' a belt line molding of a body panel; Fig. 6 is a central sectional elevation of the construction shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken substantialogy employed'herein is for the purpose of. description and not of limitation, and/it is not intended to limit the invention beyond the terms of the several claims hereto appended as considered in view of the prior art and the requirements thereof.

Referring to Figs. l to 4.- inclusive the striping device in this form of the invention comprises a hollow supporting body forming a reservoir l for containing the striping Huid or paint. This reservoir or container body is constructed to provide an inner straight wall 10a and an outer offset wall 10b, and the upper end of the container body-is screw threaded for the attachment of a screw cap l1. Extending through the interior of the reservoir or container l0 is a tube l2, this tube extending parallel to the wall 10a and closely adjacent thereto. The lower end of the container body l0 is reduced and formed with a cylindrical extension. 18 within which .is fixed the lower end of the tube 12. tube l2 preferably extends to a point adjacent the top of the container body and in the present instance is open at lli providing a port normally located above the highest level of the Huid or paint within the reservoir7 therebyl providing a return for excess paint as will be later described. The tube 12 at its lower' end is also provided with a port l5 permitting the feedv of paint or fluid into the tube from the reservoir;

The

Within the tube 12 is located a screw or worm-conveyor 16, which preferably extends substantially the length of the tube 12 and terminates at a point adj acentthe upper end thereof near the port 14. The lower end 17 of this screw orworm 16 is cylindrical and is machinedv to provide an annular key 17a housedwithin an undercut annular groove in a bearing cap 19. This cap is tapped andis adapted to be screwed' onto the threaded end 18 of the extension 13. In this manner the Screw conveyor 16 has a bearing Within the cap 19. andis supported thereby to rotate within the tube 12-- The end ofthis shaft isv also turned down rto provide a projecting s indle 20 upon Whichis fixed a roller 21. his roller is preferably composedof yieldable frictional material, such asy rubber, so that when it is held against the body panel and when the device-is moved along the body the rotation of the roller .will result in driving the conveyor 16.- Y

Intermediate the ends of the tube 12, and preferably adjacent the upper end of the container body 10, the latter is provided with an applicator 22. In the present instancer this applicator comprises a hollen7 arm extending from thev container. The arm 22 is substantially square in cross section, land extending therethrough is a tube or duct 23 communicating with the interior of the feed tube 12. The outer. end of the arm 22 forms the applicator tip 22a by which the paint or fluid` is applied to the body to form the stripe. This applicator tip or surface is preferably concave or curved as shown in Fig. 4, and is provided With ar series of parallel alternate grooves Aand ribs which extend in the direction in which the stripe is formed. The 'applicator tip in this instance is .therefore concave and ilutediand the tube 23 communi- Cates with this surface -by means of a port 24 preferably entering one of the grooves which is more `remote from the reservoir 10. The purpose of the grooves 25 is to form small channels for holding the fluid at theapplieater tip, the ribs being curved sovthat when the device is moved over the body the paint will spread over the entire surface of the appli-cater tip, Whileat the same time preventing the paint from spreading so as to provide ragged marginal edges. Thus when the applicator is moved over the body, and especially over a curved surface such as the belt line molding 51, the paint will be partially separated and held Within the series of small channels or Lgrooves 25. VVVhereithe concave end or tip of the applicator 'has the same conteur as the molding I51 all of the ribs 25a will engage the face of the molding, and in effect the stripe when formed Will be a series of very close lines,but due to the fluidity of the Vpaint these lines will immediately merge producing a single stripe. As a result of this construction a relatively wider stripe or rectangular in cross section.

may be produced, While at the same time maintaining a straight even marginal edge.

The guide structure for the striping device in this instance comprises a pair of bars or socket members 26 straddling opposite sides of the container body 10 and secured thereto, as by soldering. Each of these bars is provided with a square hole Within which slidingly extends a guide bar 27 which is connected to the socket member 26 bymeans of a pin and slot connection 31. The inner ends of the bars 27 act against compression springs 30, and the outer ends of these bars are connected by means of a curved or arched rod or Wire 28 carrying a curved guide tip 29. The 'guideY tip 29 is adapted to engage alonga projection on the body during the striping operation, such as along the belt line molding 51, as shown in Fig. 1, and the guide is yieldable against the action of the springs 30 so that the applicator Will travel along the surface and produce a stripe-only by applying pressure so as to cause the guide to yield and permit engagement of the applicator with the surface to be striped.

'eferring to the embodiment shown vin Figs. V5 to 7 inclusive the construction of the container body or reservoir, and vthe force feed mechanism-is substantially `the same as above described, with the exception that in this instance a 'conicalrol'ler 35 is provided instead of the circular or ball-shapedroller 21. l

In this construction a pen 86 is provided. which is mounted .at the upper end of a supporting. bar 3T, which is preferably square The bar 3T is supported at one side of the container body 1-0, at its lower end by a rod 3S fixed to ,the lower end of the body and its upper end may be soldered or otherwise secured to the container. The pen 36 comprises a stationary nib 39 and a hinged nibV 39a, these nibs being connected together and adjustable toward and from each other by means of a set screw 40. The paint or striping fluid is fed ,to the pen nibs by means of a tubeor duct 55, the outer ,end thereof terminating a `suitable distance in rear of the'pen points, and the inner end fitting into a hole in the tube 12 intermediate theopenings 14and 15.

Below the pen 36 there is mounted on the supporting bar 37 a guiding device for the striper. Slidable upon the bar S'Tis a sleeve 41 held in adjusted position Vby meansof a set screw 42. Secured tothe outer side of this sleeve is a second sleeve 43 extending transversely thereto Aand having a square opening therethrough. Extending through this opening is a socket member 44 Whiclris slidable therein an-d held in adjusted position by means of a set screw 45 extending through `a slot 46 in the sleeve 43. v The socket member 44 has a square yhele into which cxtends a guide bar 47 acted upon byfa spring iii 48. This bar is connected to the member 44 I by means of a pin and slot connection 49, and the end of the guide bar is provided with a ring tip 5() adapted to engage a projection on the surface to be striped, such as the belt line molding 51.

The device shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive is illustrated as being employed for applying a strip G1 on the rib or belt line moulding 51 of an automobile body, a portion of one of the body panels being shown at G0. The device is grasped by the operator and held in position against the body so that the guide tip Q9 will engage one edge of the molding 5l, wi h the roller 21 in contact with the face of the panel G0. l ln the illustrated device the construction is such that the applicator 22 eX- tends in a position to cause the concave striping tip 22a thereof to engage the convex face of the molding 5l upon exerting a slight pressure to cause the guide 2729 to yield against the action of the spring 30. As the device is moved Aover the body the friction member 21 will rotate, thereby driving the conveyor screw 16, and forcing the fluid through the duct or tube 23. rhe feed of the paint fluid will be proportionate to the speed in which the device is moved over the body, since this governs the speed of rotation of the roller 21 and the screw 16. YAny excess paint which is not taken up by the tube 23 and forced through the port 24 will be returned. to the reservoir through the opening 14 at the top of the feed tube 12.

ln the construction illustrated in Figs. 5 to F48 inclusive'a pen 3G is employed preferably when narrower st ipe is applied adjacent or along the belt line molding 51. The guiding mechanism vin this instance is so consiructed that the lineof striping may be adj ustecl with relation to the rib or molding 51, and the guide is obliquelyadjustable to permit striping on curved panels. It will be understood that where the device of Fi 1 to 4 inclusive is to be used for striping along different lines with relation to the rib or molding 51, the guide structure of Fig. may be employed instead of the guide structure shown in Fig. 1, thereby permitting the position of the line of striping to be adjusted.

lVhat we claim is:

1. VA striping device comprising a reservoir for a striping fluid, a tube within said reservoir having an opening above the level of fluid in the reservoir and also having an opening for conducting fluid into the tube, a feed screw within said tube, and an applicator communicating with saidv tube, said applicator having a duct located intermediate said openings.`

2. A striping device comprising a reservoir for a striping fluid, a tube within said reservoir having an opening above the level of fluid in the reservoir` and also having an opening for conducting fluid into the tube, a

feed screw withinsaid tube, an applicator communicating-with said tube, said appli- Y cator having a duct located intermediate said openings, and means for operating sald feed screw.

3. A striping device comprising a reservoir for a striping fluid, atube within said reservoir having an opening abo-ve the level of fluid in the reservoir and also having an opening for conducting fluid into the tube, a feed screw within said tube, an applicator communicating with said tube, and means connected to said screw and engageable with the surface to be striped for operating the screw. j

4. A striping device. comprising a reservoir for a striping fluid, a feed screw Within said reservoir, opening for conducting fluid into the tube and an opening for conducting fluid into the reservoir, an applicator communicating with the interior of said tube between said openings, and means for operating said screw and comprising a friction roller adapted to travel on a surface adjacent the line of striping.

5. A striping device comprising a reservoir for a striping fluid, a feed screw within said reservoir, a tube for said screw positioned within the reservoir and having an opening for conducting fluid into the tube and an opening for conducting fluid into the reservoir, an applicator communicating with the interior of said tube at a point located between said openings, yielding means for guiding said device, and means for operating said screw.

p 6. In a striping device, a receptacle having an inner straight wall and an outer offset wall forming a reservoir therebetween for striping fluid, a tube Vextending adjacent and parallel to said inner wall within the reservoir, said tube having a port adjacent its lower end for the flow of fluid into the tube and a port at its upper end for the return flow of fluid into the reservoir, an applicator communicating with the tube intermediate said ports, and means within said tube for forcing fluid to said applicator.

7. ln a stripino` device, a receptacle having an inner straight wall and an outer offset wall forming a reservoir therebetween for striping fluid, a tube extending acent and parallel to said inner wall within the reservoir, said tube having a port adjacent its lower end for the flow of fluid into the tube and a port at its upper end for the return flow of fluid into the reservoir, an applicator communicating'with the tube intermediate said ports, and a screw conveyor` \vith in said tube for fori-,ing fluid to said applicater. i

8. ln a striping device, a receptacle forming a reservoir for striping fluid, a tube eX- tending within the reservoir, said tube having a port adjacent its lower end for the flow a tube for said screw having anv of flu-id into'the tube and a port at its upper end for the return flow of Huid into reservoi-r, an applicator commu-nicatingwith the Atube intermediate said ports, resilient means Jfor holding said applicator `in predeterniined'pos'itionrelative to the striping surface, and means Within said tufbe for forcing fluid to the applicator.

9; In a striping device, a receptacle having enclosing wall-'s forminga reservoir for striping Huid, a 'tube extending parallel to an inner Wall Within the reservoir, said tube having a port adjacent its lower end for the 'fiow of fi-uid into the tube and a port at its upper end for the returnflow of fluid into the reservoir, an applicator connnunicating with the tube intermediate said ports, a feed screw extending through said tube beyond saidlast port, and a rotary member engagea'ble with .an exterior surface for driving said screw.

`l0. In a striping device, a reservoirr for striping` Huid, an applicator,r a rigid feed sci-eu7 'Within said reservoir, a tube enclosing .said screw and having a port for the flow of fluid into'the tube, said applicator communieating with said tube at apoi-nt located intermediate the ends ofthe tube, and a roller adapted to travel on an exterior surface for operating said screw to feed fluid to the applicator;

ll. In a striping device, an applicator having a concave corrugated striping surtace, and a port opening into said surface for feeding the fluid thereto.

l2. In a striping device, a reservoir for striping fluid, au applicator vhaving a corrugated striping surface providing a series of parallel. grooves, and a feedrconduit leading from said reservoir `and opening into said corrugated surface.

13. In a striping device, an applicator having a corrugated strip-ing surface and provided with a port extending through said surface for feeding Huidy thereto.

kIn testimony whereof We alfix Vour` signatures. Y l

RALPH Z. HOPKINS. Y EARL F. SEGER. 

